The USDA Farm Service Agency recently announced the sign-up period for the 2011 crop year Supplemental Revenue Assistance Payments Program will open through June 7, 2013. The SURE program authorizes assistance to farmers and ranchers who suffered crop losses caused by natural disasters occurring through Sept. 30, 2011.

Any eligible producer who suffered losses during the 2011 crop year is encouraged to contact the FSA office to learn more about the SURE Program and how to apply.

Production losses due to disasters occurring after Sept. 30, 2011, are not eligible for disaster program coverage.

To be eligible for SURE, a farm or ranch must have:

• At least a 10-percent production loss on a crop of economic significance, except grazed crops;

• A policy or plan of insurance under the Federal Crop Insurance Act or the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) for all economically significant crops;

• Been physically located in a county that was declared a primary disaster county or contiguous county by the Secretary of Agriculture under a Secretarial Disaster Designation. In 2011, all parishes in Louisiana were declared by the Secretary. A “farm” for SURE purposes means the entirety of all crop acreage in all counties that a producer planted or intended to be planted for harvest for normal commercial sale or on-farm livestock feeding, including native and improved grassland intended for haying.

Producers considered socially disadvantaged, a beginning farmer or rancher, or a limited resource farmer may be eligible for SURE without a policy or plan of insurance or NAP coverage.

For more information on the 2011 SURE program, visit the Washington/St. Tammany FSA County Office at 1111 Washington St., Franklinton, or call 839-5687, Ext. 2, also visit www.fsa.usda.gov/ sure.